Kristy Buzard (Hills)

International Area Studies BA, 2001

After graduating with a degree in International Area Studies with a focus on the European Union, I spent the 2001-2002 academic year studying European Economics at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium under the auspices of a Fulbright Student Grant. At this amazing institution, all 280 students from nearly 40 countries ate together in one cafeteria, lived together in seven small dorms, studied and learned together in two small academic buildings, and played together in one small, beautiful town.

I learned a tremendous amount while I was at the College, and it helped me get an amazing job that prepared me for admission into a great doctoral program. But even more than the economics I learned in the classroom and the amazing improvements I saw in my French-language skills (and even some Flemish!), my most powerful memories and longest-lasting connections are to the people with whom I shared my life for those amazing ten months.

All I wanted was to learn about the economics of European integration, but these tremendous Europeans integrated me into their lives and their hearts, and I will be forever indebted both to them and to the Fulbright Program for making it all possible.